In Him All Things Consist An Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

“In Him All Things Consist”
An Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
By Suzanna Glorvigen
9‐20‐08
For centuries scientists have not ceased to be enthralled with the infinitesimal component of creation. Resulting
from their fervor, mankind has benefited from scientific discoveries in microscopy and has likewise become
mesmerized by its multi‐faceted phenomena. As we think specifically on how in Christ all things “consist” or “hold
together” (Col. 1:17), it is of particular significance that we take a peek inside His world of quantum mechanics.
Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics which tries to explain the workings of the atomic and subatomic
systems. These systems include protons, neutrons, electrons, atoms, molecules, and other subatomic particles.
The word “quantum” comes from the Latin word meaning “how much” or “how great.” In quantum mechanics the
word “quantum” is applied to the fact that energy comes in packets, or “quanta” at the microscopic level. In this
microscopic realm, energy is said to be “discrete” rather than continuous. To understand “discrete,” think of the
infamous “quantum leap.” For example, when an atom is struck by a photon (a light wave particle), an electron is
boosted into a higher orbit. The electron does not move continuously to the other orbital, but rather it disappears
out of one and reappears in the other, without traversing the space in between.
It was once believed (1909) that electrons orbited the nucleus of an atom much like planets orbit the sun. The
problem with this theory is that an accelerating electrical charge will give off electromagnetic waves. The charged
orbiting electron would increasingly lose energy and thus spiral down a path of collision toward the nucleus,
making stable atoms impossible. In 1900 Max Planck found that the energy of electromagnetic waves occurs only
in discrete small packets or quanta. Albert Einstein took this idea and demonstrated that a light wave could be
described by a particle (later called the photon in 1926) with a discrete amount of energy dependent on its
frequency. This postulation opened the door to all kinds of discussions, theorizing, and testing, which led to
quantum physics.
In 1913, Niels Bohr incorporated the quantum theory into a model of the atom demonstrating that electrons
existed in quantized energy states in which the electrons could only orbit the nucleus in specific circular orbits,
having fixed angular momentum and energy. The distance of the electron from the nucleus was proportional to
their respective energies. The electrons could move between these orbits by the emission or absorption of
photons by making “quantum leaps.” This would keep electrons from spiraling into the nucleus because they
could not continuously lose energy.
The Bohr model of the atom, showing
quantized states of electron orbital
energy. An electron dropping to a lower
orbit emits a photon equal to the energy
difference between the orbits.
Louis de Boglie in 1924 hypothesized that all moving particles, like electrons and other matter, show properties of
both particles and waves. This gave rise to the concept of wave‐particle duality. This concept can be
demonstrated by passing light through two parallel slits in a piece of cardboard. The light passes through both slits
simultaneously due to the wave‐like nature of the electron. In 1926, Erwin Schrodinger’s wave equation gave the
probability of finding an electron near a position. Once the electron spin and the interaction between multiple
electrons is considered, this wave equation could predict the configuration of electrons in atoms. However, this
concept had problems, since a wavefunction incorporates time as well as position. Max Born proposed that
Schrodinger’s equation described all the possible states as opposed to the electron itself, and therefore could
rather be used to find the probability of where the electron may be found around the nucleus.
In quantum mechanics, the behavior of
an electron in an atom is described by
an orbital, which is a probability
distribution rather than an orbit.
The fact that a wavefunction involves time as well as position makes it impossible to determine both the location
and speed of a particle at the same time. This principle is known as the Uncertainty Principle. This principle states
that the more we try to determine the precise location of a particle (such as an electron around the atom’s
nucleus), the less we are able to pinpoint the velocity of the particle, and the more we try to measure the velocity
of the particle, the less able we are to determine its position. This invalidates Bohr’s model of neat circular orbits.
The modern model of an atom shows the probability of the electrons’ positions. The region in which an electron is
more prone to exist around the nucleus is dependent upon its energy level and is referred to as its atomic orbital.
We can be sure that there is no uncertainty principle in the mind of God. Although we cannot be certain as to the
precise functionality of the atomic world and how Christ holds all things together, quantum mechanics gives us an
intriguing glimpse at the deeper details of God’s creation. We can appreciate the words of Max Planck, with whom
quantum mechanics originated, expressed in a 1937 address. “He stated that science and religion wage a ‘tireless
battle against skepticism and dogmatism, against unbelief and superstition,’ with the goal: ‘toward God!’”
(DeYoung).
References
Deyoung, Donald B., Ph.D. “Creation and Quantum Mechanics.” http://www.icr.org/article/434/.
ICR Creation Online Course. “Quantum Physics.” http://www.creationonline.org/intro/module6/6470.asp, 2000.
Morris, Henry M., Ph.D. The Biblical Basis for Modern Science. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1984, p. 69.
Wikipedia. “Atomic Theory.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_theory.
Wikipedia. “Quantum Mechanics.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_physics.